Castillo latest Met to go down

Steve Somers had a beautiful monologue to open his show tonight. 

When speaking of Luis Castillo’s injury, he rattled off about 20 things Castillo was not doing when he got hurt.  From getting hit by a pitch to breaking up a double play to breaking up an on-field fight, none of them were the reason Castillo left the game early.

Nope, it was those pesky things called stairs.

After leading off in the seventh inning and grounding out, Castillo was returning to the dugout and heading down the stairs when it happened.  He attempted to avoid a glove someone had left on the step, and landed awkwardly on his ankle.

X-rays were negative and the early diagnosis is a sprained left ankle, but no word on the severity of it.

As to who left the glove on the steps…I’m looking at you, Angel Berroa!

This is just another freak accident in a season of mishaps and misplays.  I’m really not even surprised.

Game Chat: STL @ NYM [Game 106]

Joel Pinero (9-9, 2.84 ERA) vs. Johan Santana (12-8, 2.96 ERA)

(Chat removed, as usual)

Reyes returns to New York with leg discomfort

As the final nail in the coffin of people-who-still-think-the-Mets-have-a-chance-if-their-players-all-come-back-healthy, Jose Reyes has returned to New York with leg discomfort.

The news was tweeted by Steve Popper, David Lennon and Kevin Burkhardt.  Each of them believe this signals the end of any hope of Reyes returning in 2009.  I must agree.

Reyes will be re-examined by Mets doctors in NYC.

With the season swirling the drain, there should be no reason for any of the Mets players to rush back.  That is, except for Carlos Delgado, who needs to prove to teams he is still able to play.

So long, 2009.  Hello, 2010.

Lineup for Game 106

St. Louis is in town for a quick two-game series.  Met-killer Joel Pinero is on the mound for the Red Birds.  Johan Santana will oppose him for the Mets.

1. Angel Pagan – CF
2. Luis Castillo – 2B
3. David Wright – 3B
4. Gary Sheffield – LF
5. Daniel Murphy – 1B
6. Jeff Francoeur – RF
7. Alex Cora – SS
8. Omir Santos – C
9. Johan Santana - LHP

Delgado is off and running

Steve Popper updates up with news that Carlos Delgado has begun running – sort of.

Here’s Popper’s report:

So far the workout consisted of one dash at half-speed about 40 feet, then jogging backwards. And that looked about how he usually makes his way around the field. But after that one lap, he spotted one of the Cardinals - can't recognize him from up here - and walked out to chat, where he still is while the strength coach waits for him.

Seems strenuous.

But seriously, it is a step in the right direction, especially for a player in the walk-year of his contract.  He will be making every effort to return and show teams (maybe even the Mets) that he can still hit.

He’s entirely built for an AL team as a DH now, with occasional starts at first, but some power-starved NL teams may also take a look.

Beltran and Delgado return to Citi Field…for BP

Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado were both at Citi Field last night, but neither were in the lineup.  The Carloses are both still on the disabled list, but last night was an encouraging sight for Mets fans, even if the season seems to have slipped away.

Beltran was hitting and shagging fly balls in the outfield, claiming he felt pain in his knee “only twice.”

Delgado told the Daily News that he plans on stepping up his routine today, and will continue hitting outside.

He also had the line of the day, saying, “I'm going to be ready when I'm ready.”

Is Delgado turning into Michelangelo?

Jeff Francoeur’s quick night at the plate, in pictures

AB #1 – None on, one out

AB #2 – None on, two out

AB #3 – None on, one out

AB #4 – Man on second, two out

Total: 4 AB, 6 pitches, 4 outs

Manuel’s Musing

“I think the fact that we continue to fight, and at some point, if you continue to fight, you're going to win a game like that tonight.”

-Jerry Manuel on fighting

Figgy fizzles, Mets miss out

There were many people, myself included, campaigning to have Nelson Figueroa called up.

Well, he was.  And he stunk.

Figueroa: 1.2 IP, 10 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 3 HR, 53 pitches

Yikes.

So the Mets were in a 6-0 hole in a hurry, but they battled back.  An RBI triple here (Angel Pagan), a pair of RBI singles there (Luis Castillo and David Wright) and a solo home run (Daniel Murphy) brought the Mets within one.

But that would be as close as they would get.

The team must tip their cap to the bullpen who allowed only three hits in 7 1-3 innings.  Tim Redding turned in a 3 1-3 inning outing, allowing two hits and walking only one.  Bobby Parnell tossed two scoreless, as well.

This seems fitting.

Game Chat: ARI @ NYM [Game 105]

Dan Haren (10-6, 2.19 ERA) vs. Nelson Figueroa, 0-1, 4.50 ERA)

Join in for some game gabbing and barstool banter with your fellow fans!

(Chat removed, as usual.)

Hit the comments to discuss the Mets 6-5 loss to the Diamondbacks...